By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa maintained their unbeaten run at the T20 World Cup 2026 with a five-wicket win against Zimbabwe in their final Group 1 Super 8 match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday.
The Proteas had already qualified for the semi-finals ahead of the game against Zimbabwe, and victory means they top Group 1 and face a New Zealand, a side they beat by seven wickets in the first group stage on February 14.
South Africa, who have won all seven of their matches in this tournament, are searching for a maiden T20 World Cup title having previously reached the final in 2024.
The result also confirms England, who finished top of Group 2 in the Super 8s, will face either India or West Indies in the last four as neither side will be able to match South Africa’s haul of six points.
They meet in the final Super 8 game, with the winner progressing to the semi-finals.
After restricting Zimbabwe to 153-7, South Africa lost three wickets inside the powerplay, with Sikandar Raza (3-29) removing openers Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram for single-figure scores and Ryan Rickelton for 31 (22).
From 43-3, Brevis combined with David Miller (22 off 16) for a 50-run fourth-wicket stand off 25 balls to break the back of the chase before both batters fell in the space of five deliveries to set up a nervy finish with 53 runs needed from 56 balls.
Earlier, Zimbabwe captain Raza had proved a thorn in South Africa’s side with the bat, striking a defiant 73 (34), including eight fours and four sixes. Clive Madande (26 not out) was the next highest scorer, chipping in with a handful of late boundaries to take Zimbabwe beyond 150.
Teenage quick Kwena Maphaka was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-21.
Aside from Maphaka, South Africa also gave runs to fast bowler Anrich Nortje and spinner George Linde, who have not featuered much in the tournament to date.
“Nice to get the win, it can be a tricky one when you change the team a bit and the boys haven’t really been playing,” South Africa captain Markram said.
“The boys really stepped up today. We would have liked to be more clinical with the bat, but it was probably a good thing that the middle order was put under a bit of pressure and came through it.
“The least you can do is give opportunities to guys who have been working really hard behind the scenes. At least if we need them they have had a game.
“It is really exciting to have a semi-final in Kolkata against New Zealand. The boys will be up for it, you look at playing one really good game of cricket and the result takes care of itself. But you need to put in 40 good overs.”